Rotary drilling machine



Oct. 5, 1937. A. J. PENICK ET AL 2,094,813

ROTARY DRILLING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 5/ 43 In) R ll 4/ 45 J F l W AZ Q 7 /MMM Oct. 5, 1937. J PENICK ET AL 2,094,813

ROTARY DRILLING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1935 5 SheetsSheet 2 Oct. 5, 1937.

Filed July 15, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 n a w @d 1 a 7 w w 9 w MO fl 8 Patented Oct. 5, 1937 PATE ()FFICE ROTARY DRILLING MACHINE Arthur J. Penick and Kirby T. Penick, Houston, Tex.

Application July 15, 1935, Serial No. 311,446

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a rotary drilling machine.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described designed to be driven by the rotary table of the drilling machine, and to grip and rotate the drill stern, which is driven by said machine, in the process of well drilling.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a rotary drilling machine, means for gripping and rotating the drill stem without injury to the stem.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a rotary drilling machine, a pipe gripping and rotating attachment which will grip and drive the drill stem without the use of an ordinary kelly joint, or grief pipe.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in a rotary drilling machine, a stem-gripping and driving attachment that may be readily released for the addition of another section to the upper end of the stem as drilling progresses, and readily applied to said added section, and operatively connected to the rotary table to continue the drilling operations.

With the above and other objections in view, the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation, and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of the complete apparatus.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional View on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a top plan view, showing the upper cam plate removed.

Fig. 4 shows a top plan View, partly in crosssection.

Fig. 5 shows a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 showing a slightly modified form of the stem-driving apparatus.

Fig. 6 shows a vertical sectional view of the form shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 shows a fragmentary, cross-sectional View taken on the line 'l--l of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral 1 designates the base plate of the rotary drilling machine and the numeral 2 designates the rotary table mounted thereon, said base plate and table 55 being of conventional construction, and it is understood that the table will be driven in the conventional manner well known to those familiar with the art.

The table and base plate have the conventional vertical openings therethrough and mounted in the opening of the table there is the sectional driving bushing 3 having the polygonal opening d therethrough.

The drill stem gripping and driving device comprises a suitable housing, preferably cylindrical in form, and composed of the complemental sections 5, 6. These sections are hinged together at one side by the hinge l, and at their other side have the fingers 8, t, and 9, respectively, arranged to intermesh, when the sections are closed, and having aligned hearings to receive the pin in, to secure the sections in closed position, but which is readily removable to permit the sections to be opened. The sections 5, 6, are reduced and downwardly extended forming the adapter M which is also sectional throughout its length, as indicated in Fig. 8, and which is polygonal in cross-section to readily fit through the opening l of the drive bushing 3 whereby said pipe gripping and rotating attachment is caused to turn with the rotary table 2.

Housed within transversely disposed pockets of the section 6 are the rollers l3 which are mounted to rotate on the transverse bearing rods it. These rods may be fitted through transverse bearings IS in the section 6 and pinned therein by the pins H. The rollers l3 are concave to conform to the contour of and to fit against the outside surface of the drill stem it to be driven.

The housing and adapter are formed tubular so that the drill stem will readily pass vertically therethrough, and the bearing rollers i3 are suitably spaced apart in the housing section 6. The inner side of the section 5 has a plurality of vertical grooves l9 in its inner face extending from the upper to the lower end thereof and whose rear sides are formed with the cam faces 20 which converge inwardly and rearwardly toward the stem IE to be driven as shown in Fig. 3, and in these grooves are the gripping rollers 2| extending substantially from the upper to the lower end of the housing.

The upper and lower ends of these gripping rollers have the pins 22 thereon which work in the upper and lower grooves 23, M, in the upper and lower arcuate end plates 25, 26. The grooves 23, 24, are pitched to correspond to the pitch of the cam faces 20. The upper plate 25 is countersunk into the upper end of the section 5 and fastened thereto by the screws 21, and the lower plate 26 is seated in the arcuate inside groove adjacent the lower end of the housing section 5.

It is obvious that as the rotary table 2| is rotated to the right, the adapter and housing will be turned in a corresponding direction, and the cam faces 28 will, with wedging efiect, force the rollers 2| into gripping relation with the drill stem l8 and will turn the same. It is to be noted that the gripping rollers 2| have a long bearing surface and are spaced about in such manner that they will not be liable to dent or crush the drill stem and will not injure said stem. As drilling progresses, however, the weight of the stem will cause its gradual downward movement so that the drill at the lower end of the stem will operate against the bottom of the bore.

There is an arcuate release plate 28 seated in an inside annular groove 29 within and intermediate the ends of the housing section 5. The plate 28 has the notches 30 to receive the rollers 2|, and one end of said plate is seated against a strong coil spring 3| which is seated in a suitable socket in the housing section 6, and said spring operates to hold the release plate in position to permit the gripping action of the rollers 2| during their operation. The outer margin of the release plate 28 is formed with a cam face 32 and pivotally mounted between the lateral lugs 33, 33, of the section 5, there is arelease lever 34. This lever, when inactive, is housed in the section 5 between said lugs and is also provided at one end with the cam face which is arranged to work through a slot 36. When the opposite end of the lever 34 is swung outwardly, the cam face 35 will operate against the cam face 32 and will force the release plate 28 around toward the right overcoming the pressure of the spring 3| and carrying the pins 22 outwardly toward the outer ends of the grooves 23, 24, and carrying the gripping rollers out of contact with the drill stem whereby the rotary may be turned without rotating the drill stem if it be desired to do so. Upon return of the lever 34 to its original position, the spring 3| will operate to move the plate 28 to the left and this will shift the rollers 2| back into position to again engage the drill stem upon rotation of the table to the right.

One side of the adapter II has a vertical dovetailed groove 31 extending from the upper to the lower end thereof and which gradually tapers inwardly and downwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, and fitted into this groove there is a wedge-shaped rack bar 38 which tapers upwardly as shown and which has the external teeth 39 thereon.

At its lower end the housing section 5 has a deep transverse slot 48 in which there is a rotatable cam 4| which rotates on the pin 42. The upper side of this cam has the cam-shaped face 43, and the upper end of the rack bar has an outwardly extended pin 44 which rides on the face 43.

The cam member 4| may be rotated by the handle When the adapter I I is fitted through the drive bushing 3 the rack bar 38 is in its lower and inner position with the pin 44 riding on the lower portion of the cam face 43 and the handle 45 swung outwardly. Thereupon the said handle 45 may be swung around into the slot 48, causing the cam face 43 to elevate the pin 44 and rack bar 38 and causing the teeth 39 to engage and grip the opposing face of the rotary driving bushing whereby the stem driving apparatus will be anchored in place in the rotary table.

When it is desired to add an additional section to the upper end of the drill stem as drilling progresses, the cam 4| may be actuated to permit the rack bar 38 to move downwardly and the drill stem may be then elevated, and the housing and adapter lifted out of the rotary table and unlatched and swung open. An additional section may then be added to the upper end of the drill stem and the drill stem then lowered until the tool joint connecting the added section onto the drill stem is at the desired elevation and the apparatus may then be closed about the drill stem and latched, and the adapter inserted through and secured in the driving bushing as hereinabove indicated, and drilling may then be proceeded with until it again becomes necessary to add another section to the drill stem.

The drill stem gripping and rotating apparatus is of such weight that it may be readily handled by the workmen, although it may be swung in the derrick, while additional sections are being added to the drill stem, by any selected appliance suitable for the purpose.

As shown in Fig. 5, the rollers l3 have been dispensed with as well as the release plate 28 and spring 3| and the cam faces 20 have-been provided in both sections 5a, 6a, of the housing, and the gripping rollers 2| have been arranged in both sections entirely around the drill stem so as to grip and turn said stem upon rotation of the rotary table to the right. In other respects the form shown in Fig. 5 is the same as that shown in the other figures.

It may be noted that if the pipe to be driven is to be turned to the left, the direction of the pitch of the cam faces 20 and the grooves 23, 24, should be reversed, necessitating also a corresponding reversal of the release plate 28, the spring 3|, and lever 34. I

The drawings and description disclose what are now considered to be preferred forms of the invention by way of illustration only, while the broad principle of the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A rotary drilling machine comprising a rotary table, a housing mounted thereon and shaped to permit the passage of a drill stem therethrough, a transverse bearing roller in the housing whose external surface is shaped to conform to the shape of the drill stem, said housing having inside vertical cam faces opposite said roller and vertical gripping rollers in the housing arranged to be actuated by said cam faces into gripping relation with the drill stem upon rotation of the housing.

2. A rotary drilling machine comprising a rotary table, a housing thereon formed of sections and shaped to receive a drill stern therethrough, a bearing roller in one section adapted to bear against the stem, vertical gripping rollers in the other section, said other section having vertical cam faces arranged to actuate said gripping rollers into gripping relation with the drill stem to cause the rotation of said stem with the housing.

3. A rotary drilling machine comprising a rotatable driving member, a housing thereon and operatively connected therewith and shaped to permit the passage of a drill stem vertically therethrough, inside vertical cam faces in the housing, gripping rollers in the housing arranged to be actuated by said faces into gripping relation with the stem, upon rotation of the housing in one direction, and to be released upon rotation of the housing in the other direction, a release plate in one section of the housing having notches to receive the rollers, means for actuating the release plate into position to hold the rollers inactive, upper and lower plates in the housing havingbearings therein pitched to correspond to the pitch of said cam faces, said rollers having end pintles which work in said bearings.

4. A rotary drilling machine comprising a rotary driving member, a housing thereon and operatively connected therewith for simultaneous rotation, a releasable wedge shaped rack bar on the housing and operable into engagement with the driving member, said housing being formed of sections hinged together at one side, means for releasably securing the sections together at the other side, said housing being shaped to receive a drill stem vertically therethrough, rotatable gripping members in the housing, said housing having an inside contour shaped to actuate the gripping members into gripping relation with the stem upon rotation of the housing in one direction, and into released position upon rotation of the housing in the other direction.

5. A rotary drilling machine comprising a rotary driving member, a housing thereon and operatively connected therewith for simultaneous rotation, said housing being formed of sections hinged together at one side, means for releasably securing the sections together at the other side, said housing being shaped to receive a drill stem vertically therethrough, rotatable gripping members in the housing, said housing having an inside contour shaped to actuate the gripping members into gripping relation with the stem, upon rotation of the housing in one direction and into released position upon rotation of the housing in the other direction, and an arcuate, manually controllable, release plate yieldably mounted in one section and having notches to receive the rollers, said plate forming means for shifting said gripping members into and maintaining them in, inactive or neutral position.

6. In a device for gripping and turning round objects, such as pipe, and the like, a housing formed of sections hinged together at one side,

, said sections being shaped to surround the pipe,

a transverse roller in one section adapted to engage the pipe on one side, pipe gripping means rotatable on vertical axes in the other .section, the inside contour of said other section being shaped to actuate said gripping means into gripping relation wlth the pipe upon rotation of the housing in one direction, and into released position upon rotation of the housing in the other direction.

'7. A rotary drilling machine comprising a rotary driving member having a polygonal opening a housing thereon formed oi sections hinged together at one side, means for releasably securing the sections together at the other side, said housing being shaped to receive a drill stem vertically therethrough, the lower end of the housing being reduced and shaped to flt into and slide vertically through said polygonal opening to establish a driving relation between the driving member and the housing, releasable means for securing the housing to the driving member, a rotatable bearing member in the housing, gripping members rotatable about vertical axes in the housing, said housing having an inside contour shaped to actuate the gripping members into gripping relation with the stem upon rotation of the housing, in one direction, and into released position upon rotation of the housing in the other direction.

8. A rotary drilling machine comprising a rotary table, a housing thereon adapted to be rotated by the table, said housing being shaped to receive a drill stem therethrough, a series of vehicle gripping rollers in the housing, cam faces in the housing arranged to actuate said rollers into gripping relation with the drill stem to cause the rotation of the stem with the housing, when the rotary is turned in one direction, said cam faces being shaped to release the rollers when the rotary is turned in the other direction, an arcuate release plate in the housing having notches to receive the rollers, a yieldable member normally holding the released plate in neutral position, and means for manually operating the release plate into position to maintain the rollers in inoperative position.

9. In a device for gripping and turning round objects, such as pipe, and the like, a structure shaped to receive a pipe therethrough and containing means for engaging and turning said pipe and an adjustable gripping member slidably mounted on the structure and engageable with and releasable from a rotating apparatus.

10. A rotary drilling machine comprising a rotary driving member having a vertical opening therethrough, a housing thereon formed of sections, means for releasably securing the sections together, said housing being shaped to receive a drill stem vertically therethrough, the lower end of the housing being shaped to fit into said opening and to establish a driving relation between the driving member and housing, means for securing the housing to the driving member, a transverse, rotatable bearing member in the housing, gripping members in the housing rotatable on vertical axes, said housing having an inside contour shaped to actuate the gripping members into gripping relation with the drill stem upon rotation of the housing in one direction and into released position upon rotation of the housing in the other direction.

11. In a device for gripping and turning round objects a structure shaped to receive a pipe therethrough and containing means for engaging and turning said pipe, an adjustable gripping member slidably mounted on the structure and engageable with and releasable from a rotating apparatus, a manually operable device on the structure including a rotatable cam and means co-acting therewith upon rotation of the cam to actuate said gripping member.

ARTHUR J. PENICK. KIRBY T. PENICK. 

